Star visitor

Rachel Choong, England Para-Badminton World Champion, paid a visit to St Nicholas CE Primary School recently.

She helped to lead worship in a special assembly focusing on the Christian value of endurance and showed off a clutch of gold medals won at recent championships in America and Germany.

Rachel and one of her coaches, John Howell who is Chair of Governors at the school, then led an interactive badminton session with some of the pupils who were amazed at Rachel’s skill.

Manolis Ponoris, aged nine, said: “It was very encouraging to have a champion teaching us how to play badminton and meeting Rachel has inspired me to take up the sport.”

Emily Hill, aged nine, added: “It was a real privilege to meet Rachel. We were really lucky to be able to play badminton with her. She has given us some good tips on how to hold our rackets properly and how to move across the court.”

Becky Woods, headteacher, said: “Rachel is an inspirational young woman who has worked hard and shown such perseverance to excel in her field.

“We were thrilled to welcome her into school and I know that the children will remember the message that she gave to them, that if they work hard and never give up, they can achieve their dreams.”